Community Talk Forums Discuss travel plans, ideas, destinations, food and anything else related to India in our forums. Favorite Places Chandigarh Chennai (Madras) Delhi Goa Jaipur Mumbai (Bombay)   Favorite Food Samosas Naan Chicken Tandoori Saag Gosht Chicken Tikka Masala Gulab Jamun   Favorite Monuments Qutb Minar Red Fort Sun temple at Konark Ajanta Caves Ellora Caves

Orissa About Orissa Places to Visit   Puri   Lord Jagannath's Temple The Blue Wheel Ananda Bazaar Viewing the Temple Climate and Clothing Getting there Where to stay What to see Shopping Festivals Lord Jagannath's Temple The name Jagannatha or Jagannath literally means "Lord of the Universe". The temple of Lord Jagannath is higher than the famous Lingaraja temple in Bhubaneswar though not quite as high as the Sun temple at Konark. The temple is surrounded by two courtyards, and two tall, concentric walls, making the complex somewhat like a fortress. It has four gates, each with an animal theme. The main gate, Singhadwar, the Lion Gate, is on the east. Leather, cameras and non-hindus are not permitted to pass through the temple gates. Outside of the walls, directly in front of the Singhadwara (Lion Gate), stands the Aruna Stambha, the Sun Pillar. The pillar is about 34 feet high, and stands on a platform, which is usually decorated with pieces of cloth by devotees. A small figure of Arun, charioteer of the sun, is seated on top of the pillar. This pillar was brought from Konark during the 18th century by Gajapati Dibyasingha Dev. Situated by the crashing waves of the Bay of Bengal, this city has dedicated itself to Lord Vishnu, or Jagannath as he is called here. There are several interesting places within the temple compound, such as Koili Vaikuntha, where the old deities are cremated after the new ones are installed during the Nabakalevara which comes once in twelve years. The Kalpa Bata, an ancient tree believed to grant boons to the devotees, the Mukti Mandap, a raised platform where learned men sit and decide cases of religious controversy. The Sunakuan is the Golden Well from which water is drawn only once a year on the occasion of Snana Yatra. The Blue Wheel There is a wheel, known as the "Nila Chakra", on top of the Jagannatha Temple made of an alloy of eight different metals known as "Asta - Dhatu". It is 11 feet 8 inches high and has a circumference of about 36 feet. A flag is tied every day on a mast attached to this and on every 'Ekadasi' day a lamp is lit on top of the temple near the wheel. Ananda Bazaar This is the great food market where devotees purchase prasad which is food that has become spiritualized after having been offered to the deities. This temple is said to have the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of devotees every day. There are 36 traditional communities ('Chatisha Niyaga') who render a specific hereditary service to the Deities. The temple has as many as 6,000 priests. Viewing the Temple You can get a view of the temple from the 'Jaya Balia' lodge or the roof of the "Raghunandan" Library on Grand Road, opposite the temple. You can also view ancient leaf books in the library for a small donation. The library is open from 9 am to 8 pm. Travel Information Climate Summer (Mar. to Jun.):   Warm Monsoon (Jul to Aug.):   Warm Winter (Nov. to Feb.):   Cool and pleasant Clothing Summer-Cottons Winter- Woollens Getting There Road links to Bhubaneswar. Nearest airport Bhubaneswar (56 km). Rail links to Calcutta, Madras, Delhi. Where to Stay Holiday Resort Hotel Nilachal Ashok Hotel Vijoya International Panthanivas S.E.Railway Hotel Toshali Sands What to see Lord Jagannath Temple A 12th century temple built in the Kalinga style, with shrines to other gods and goddeesses within. Anand Bazaar The biggest food market in the world. Gundicha Ghar The Garden House, the smaller sanctum that houses the deities during Rath Yatra. Puri Beach Miles of golden sands and the blue water of the Bay of Bengal add to the attractions of the city. Shopping Miniature stone sculptures, wood carvings, patta paintings, sea shell items. Festivals •  Chandan Yatra at the Hindu New Year. •  Snana yatra celebrating Lord Jagannath's ritual bath. •  Rath Yatra, the ceremonial chariot festival every summer.